Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board ANNUAL … · 2017-05-09 · Maralinga Lands...

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation

Park Board

ANNUAL REPORT

1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board

Annual Report 2015-16

For further information please contact:

Executive Officer

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board

C/- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

GPO Box 1047

ADELAIDE SA 5001

Telephone: (08) 8463 4843

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.environment.sa.gov.au

ABN: 36 702 093 234

ISSN: 1833-0371

12 September 2016

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/

_______________________________________________________________________________

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board 2015-16 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ............................................................................................. 4

PLANS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................. 5

OPERATIONS AND INITIATIVES ..................................................................................... 5

THE YEAR IN REVIEW .................................................................................................... 5

ROLE, LEGISLATION AND STRUCTURE (CORPORATE GOVERNANCE) .............. 7

OBJECT OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE (NPW) ACT ........................ 7

ROLE OF THE MARALINGA LANDS UNNAMED CONSERVATION PARK BOARD

.............................................................................................................................................. 7

FUNCTIONS OF THE MARALINGA LANDS UNNAMED CONSERVATION PARK

BOARD ................................................................................................................................ 7

MEMBERSHIP .................................................................................................................... 8

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP .................................................................... 9

MEETINGS: GENERAL AND SPECIAL ......................................................................... 9

GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS .............................................................................. 10

MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES ................................................................... 10

EMPLOYEE NUMBERS, GENDER AND STATUS....................................................... 10

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS .............................................................................. 11

FRAUD ................................................................................................................................. 11

CONSULTANTS .................................................................................................................. 11

OVERSEAS TRAVEL ......................................................................................................... 11

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.................................... 11

URBAN DESIGN CHARTER ............................................................................................. 11

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – INFORMATION STATEMENTS ........................... 12

WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT 1993 ............................................................ 12

REGIONAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENTS ................................................... 12

RECONCILIATION STATEMENT ................................................................................... 12

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................. 12

_______________________________________________________________________________


LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Hon Ian Hunter MLC

Minister for Sustainability Environment and Conservation

Parliament House

North Terrace

ADELAIDE SA 5000

Dear Minister

In accordance with the requirements of the Public Sector Act 2009 and section 19(d) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board for the year ended 30 June 2016.

Yours sincerely

Mr John Mungee

PRESIDING MEMBER

MARALINGA LANDS UNNAMED CONSERVATION PARK BOARD

_______________________________________________________________________________


PLANS AND OBJECTIVES

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board (the Board) provides expert advice

to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation (the Minister) on Park

operation issues. The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board set the following

strategic priorities for 2015-16.

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation

Park Board Park Management Plan SASP

Areas

Visions

Our

Com

munit

y

Our

pro

sper

ity

Our

envir

onm

ent

Our

hea

lth

Our

educa

tion

Our

idea

s

Zoning

Managing Natural Heritage

Managing Fire

Managing Cultural Heritage

Managing Tourism and Recreation

Key Primary Alignment

Secondary Alignment

In pursuing its operations and initiatives, the Board contributed to the following targets in

South Australia’s Strategic Plan:

Target 28: Aboriginal leadership; increase the number of Aboriginal South Australians

participating in community leadership and in community leadership development

programs

Target 53: Aboriginal employees; increase the participation of Aboriginal people in the

South Australian public sector

Target 69: Lose no species; lose no native species as a result of human impacts.

OPERATIONS AND INITIATIVES

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

A summary of achievements and operations of the Board during 2015-16 are as below:

A Deed of Variation for the Unnamed Conservation Park Co-management Agreement

was endorsed by the Minister on 17 December 2015. Key variations to the Principal

Agreement included:

o Amendment to all references throughout the Principal Agreement from `Unnamed

Conservation Park’ to `Mamungari Conservation Park’

o A minimum of two Board meetings per year.

_______________________________________________________________________________


The Chair of the Board, Mr John Mungee attended several meetings of the Alinytjara

Wilurara Natural Resource Management Board in order to develop his skills in

governance, and to provide important partnership discussions with the AW NRM

Board.

The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board, Mr John Mungee and Ms Dora Queama,

attended the annual Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

(DEWNR) Co-management Boards Workshop in Adelaide, 17-18 February 2016. This

was the second of this type of workshop bringing together all Co-management Boards

and Advisory Committee’s in South Australia for discussions on current issues and

future directions.

Members of the Board participated in Ranger Compliance Training, 7-10 September

2015 in conjunction with Spinifex Land Management, which included Compliance

Training, Buffel Grass mapping, informal Camp Site mapping, and Park signage

mapping.

The Board nominated a working group to carry out a Camping and Signage Strategy in-

line with an audit of current signage in Mamungari Conservation Park, and future works

needed.

Four members of the Board participated as Cultural Monitors in the Crustal Survey

checks, a science-based research project conducted by Adelaide University. Access to

the Mamungari Conservation Park was provided subject to conditions including;

preservation of soil and vegetation, prior site access approvals, appropriate Anangu

supervision on-site, and that the results of the survey would be communicated back to

the Board.

The Board contracted Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation during the reporting period

to assist the Board with land management work including track closures, monitoring

compliance of Park rules, interpretation including erection of signage, flora and fauna

pest management, and care and protection of cultural sites within the Mamungari

Conservation Park.

The Board committed to work in partnership with Oak Valley (Maralinga) Inc to

appoint a full time Executive Officer and Trainee hosted by Oak Valley (Maralinga) Inc

for a period of two years.

The Board approved the proposed 2015-20 Budget for a period of five years.

The Board approved a Board logo depicting the Nganamara (Mallee Fowl).

The Board are considering issuing Permits for entry to the park on-line through

DEWNR. This process would allow for special conditions to be set around individual

applications, and GPS service for visitors to determine appropriate camp sites within the

Park.

Members of the Board met with members of the Natural Resources Committee of

Parliament during a tour of the Alinytjara Wilurara Region. At each location visited,

local Traditional Owners and Board members met with the group and discussed their

views on ways that community-based Natural Resource Management might achieve

positive social and economic outcomes for their people, as well as the environment.

_______________________________________________________________________________


ROLE, LEGISLATION AND STRUCTURE (CORPORATE

GOVERNANCE)

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board is established under section 15B of

the Maralinga Tjarutja Land Rights Act 1984 (the Maralinga Act) which enables the

establishment of a co-management board pursuant to the provisions of the Maralinga Act and

the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act).

The Board was established in August 2004 under Regulation 4 of the Maralinga Tjarutja Land

Rights (Establishment of Co-management Board) Regulations 2004 (Maralinga Regulations) as

the Co-management board for the Park.

Management of the Mamungari Conservation Park has been vested in the Board by virtue of the

Maralinga Act, the NPW Act and the Maralinga Regulations.

The Maralinga Regulations further prescribe the composition, procedures and reporting

requirements of the Board.

OBJECT OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE (NPW) ACT

Division 6A of the NPW Act sets out the provisions relating to co-management of parks.

Section 43E(1) of that Act describes the primary objective of co-management boards as

‘effective co-management of parks to which this Division applies by representatives of the

relevant Aboriginal groups and the Minister’’ and more specifically to:

Ensure the continued enjoyment of the Park by the relevant Aboriginal groups for

cultural, spiritual and traditional uses

Ensure the continued enjoyment of the Park by members of the public in a manner

consistent with the Co-management Agreement

Ensure the preservation and protection of Aboriginal sites, features, objects and

structures of spiritual or cultural significance within the Park

Provide protection for natural resources, wildlife, vegetation and other features of the

Park

ROLE OF THE MARALINGA LANDS UNNAMED CONSERVATION PARK BOARD

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board is responsible for managing Park

operational issues such as entry, opening and closing, vehicle access, aircraft access, camping

and related matters pursuant to the National Parks and Wildlife (Unnamed Conservation Park -

Maralinga Tjarutja Lands) Regulations 2004 (National Parks UCP Regulations).

In managing the Park, the Board actively encourages science-based research projects.

FUNCTIONS OF THE MARALINGA LANDS UNNAMED CONSERVATION PARK

BOARD

The Act describes the functions of the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board.

_______________________________________________________________________________


The functions of the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board as set out in

Regulation 10(1) of the Maralinga Regulations are as follows:

(a) To carry out the functions assigned to the Board by or under the National Parks and

Wildlife Act 1972;

(b) To carry out the functions assigned to the Board by the Co-management Agreement; and

(c) To carry out other functions assigned to the Board by or under the Maralinga Tjarutja Land

Rights Act 1984, or by the Minister.

MEMBERSHIP

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board consists of eight members. Members

are appointed by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation.

Five members are to be Maralinga Tjarutja community members and the remaining positions are

to be filled by DEWNR officers. The Minister may appoint deputies for each member

(Regulation 5).

Of the five Maralinga Tjarutja members, three are to be nominated by the Maralinga Tjarutja

Council, with one of the three members being the Chair of the Board. The remaining two are to

be Aboriginal owners, nominated by Pila Nguru.

Of the three members nominated by the Minister, one must be a person in a senior position with

DEWNR, and one nominee shall be a person with qualifications or substantial experience in a

field relevant to park management.

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board members are appointed on conditions

determined by the Minister and for a term specified in the instrument of appointment, not

exceeding four years and at the expiration of a term of appointment, are eligible for

reappointment. The office of a board member becomes vacant if the member dies, completes a

term of appointment (not re-nominated), resigns, ceases to satisfy qualification requirements or

is removed by the Minister (Regulation 6).

As at 30 June 2016 Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board membership was as

follows:

MEMBERS:

Name Role Gender Nomination From Term of Appointment

Mr John Mungee

Presiding

Member

Male Maralinga Tjarutja 18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Mr Keith Peters

Member Male Maralinga Tjarutja 28/09/2015 - 27/09/2019

Ms Dora Queama

Deputy

Chair

Female Maralinga Tjarutja 18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Mr Bruce Hogan

Member Male Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation 18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Ms Josie McArthur

Member Female Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation 18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Dr Matthew Ward Member Male Department of Environment, Water and

Natural Resources

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

_______________________________________________________________________________


Mr Mark Anderson Member Male Department of Environment, Water and

Natural Resources

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Vacant (formerly Justine Graham)

Member Female Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Resigned May 2016

DEPUTY MEMBERS:

Name Deputy to Gender Nomination From Term of Appointment

Mr Robert Singer

Mr John Mungee Male Maralinga Tjarutja 18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Ms Marjorie Kugena

Ms Dora Queama Female Maralinga Tjarutja 18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Ms Cindy Watson

Mr Keith Peters Female Maralinga Tjarutja 28/09/2015 - 27/09/2019

Mr Parka Hogan

Mr Bruce Hogan Male Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Ms Debbie Hansen

Josie McArthur Female Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Mr Bruce Macpherson Dr Matthew Ward Male Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Mr Robert Sleep Mr Mark Anderson Male Department of Environment,

Water and Natural Resources

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

Ms Ollanta Lipcer Ms Justine Graham Female Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

18/06/2013 - 17/06/2017

During the reporting period one member resigned and two members were re-appointed for a

period of four years. The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board wish to thank Ms

Justine Graham for her dedication to the Board over the three years of her four year appointment.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

No Advisory Committees have been established under the Act during this reporting period. The

Act provides for the establishment of advisory committees to advise the Minister on any matter

relating to the administration of the Act. This provision was not required in this reporting

period.

MEETINGS: GENERAL AND SPECIAL

A total of two general Board meetings were held during the 2015-16 financial year. No special

Board meetings were held during the 2015-16 financial year.

Attendance by appointed members at meetings:

Member Meeting attendance Comments

John Mungee

Board Meeting # 25, 22 September 2015

Board Meeting # 26, 28 June 2016

Deputy Dora Queama also

attended Meeting # 25

Keith Peters



Deputy Cindy Watson also


Josie McArthur



Deputy Debbie Hansen also


Bruce Hogan



Deputy Parka Hogan also attended

Meeting # 25

_______________________________________________________________________________


Dora Queama


Apology for Meeting # 26

Deputy Marjorie Kugena also


Matthew Ward*


Deputy Bruce Macpherson


Justine Graham*


Deputy Ollanta Lipcer attended

Meeting # 26

Mark Anderson*



* Nominated by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS

DEWNR provides support to the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board by

providing a 0.5 FTE Executive Officer for administration and governance. Reporting on this

matter is contained in the DEWNR Annual Report 2015-16.

MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board members (other than government

employees) received the following remuneration as determined by the Minister:

Chair: $221 per four hours

Members: $177 per hour

Travel and accommodation expenses are in accordance with DPC Circular PC016 –

Remuneration for Government Appointed Part-Time Boards and Committees. Members are

entitled to meals and accommodation allowance (if travelling more than 40 kms), actual travel

costs (if public transport), or motor vehicle allowance at the rates prescribed in attachment A of

Commissioners Standard 3.2.

EMPLOYEE NUMBERS, GENDER AND STATUS

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board has no staff of its own and utilises the

services of DEWNR. Reporting on this matter is contained in the DEWNR Annual Report

2015-16.

Executive, administrative and project support were provided to the Maralinga Lands Unnamed

Conservation Park Board from existing DEWNR resources.

The gender balance of the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board is taken into

consideration when members are appointed. During this reporting period, membership of the

Board was made up of five males and three females, with four male and four female deputy

members.

_______________________________________________________________________________


The following matters are contained in the DEWNR Annual Report 2015-16:

Workforce Diversity

Workplace Adaptation

Executives

Leave Management

Performance Development

Leadership and Management Development

Employment Opportunity Programs

Work Health and Safety and Injury Management

Reporting Against the Carers Recognition Act 2005

Disability Access and Inclusion Plans

Government Buildings Energy Strategy

Public Complaints

Sustainability Reporting

Financial Performance

Account Payment Performance.

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board did not enter into any contractual

arrangements exceeding $4 million during this reporting period.

FRAUD

It is declared that there were no instances of fraud detected in the activities undertaken by the

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board in this reporting period. Financial services

are provided to the Board by DEWNR. Strategies to detect instances of fraud are reported in the

DEWNR Annual Report 2015-16.

CONSULTANTS

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board did not engage any consultants in this

reporting period.

OVERSEAS TRAVEL

It is declared that no member of the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board has

travelled overseas on Board business during this reporting period.

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board does not own any buildings and is

therefore not required to develop an asbestos risk reduction program.

URBAN DESIGN CHARTER

No events occurred in 2015-16 that required the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park

Board to consider the principles of urban design contained in the South Australian Urban Design

Charter.

_______________________________________________________________________________


FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – INFORMATION STATEMENTS

As a DEWNR administered entity, the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board

participates and abides by the arrangements outlined in the DEWNR Freedom of Information

regime. Reporting on this matter is available on the DEWNR internet site. Please visit

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au to view the FOI statement.

WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT 1993

Reporting requirements against the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 require the Maralinga

Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board to report on the number of occasions on which public

interest information has been disclosed to a Responsible Officer of the agency. There were no

disclosures made during the 2015-16 financial year.

REGIONAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENTS

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board did not undertake any regional Impact

Assessment Statements during the 2015-16 financial year.

RECONCILIATION STATEMENT

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board would like to acknowledge the land

on which it meets is the traditional lands for the Anangu (Maralinga Tjarutja – Pila Nguru)

people, and that it respects their spiritual relationship with their country. The Board also

acknowledges the Anangu (Maralinga Tjarutja – Pila Nguru) people as the traditional custodians

of the greater western desert region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as

important to the living Anangu (Maralinga Tjarutja – Pila Nguru) people today.

In fulfilling its functions, the Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board is cognisant

of the cultural and natural heritage of traditional owners and strives to achieve positive

outcomes wherever these matters are concerned.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board would like to thank the Minister,

Maralinga Tjarutja, the Alinytjara Wilurara NRM Board, staff of DEWNR and Natural

Resources Alinytjara Wilurara and Eyre Peninsula Regions, for the support and encouragement

that it has received over the year.

The Board acknowledges the financial assistance given to it from the Government of South

Australia, without which there would be no ability to deliver effective co-management of parks.

The Board also wishes to thank DEWNR for its support with funding to enable the Board to

work in partnership with communities and other stakeholders to achieve a range of outcomes in

managing the Parks operation issues, and related matters pursuant to the NPW Act.

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/

Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board ANNUAL … · 2017-05-09 · Maralinga Lands...

Documents

Transcript of Maralinga Lands Unnamed Conservation Park Board ANNUAL … · 2017-05-09 · Maralinga Lands...